Recent Events
Recent Events
11-16 November
I will be visiting Moniack Mhor writing centre for the first time attending this exciting tutored retreat.
Wednesday 20th November
On the next episode of Create the Life you want, I am in conversation with poet and writer, Cat Cochrane
Sunday 24th November
In my role as SWNT Poetry Society Makar, I have been commissioned to write and perform a poem at the Houston United Girls team football medal ceremony.
Weds 23rd October
The lovely folks at Mill Magazine Interviewed me about being a poet in Paisley. Issue 29 will be available in various locations across Renfrewshire from 23rd October.
Friday 25th October
Poetry performance Fringe Event, Birnam Book Festival, Tickets are £7 and available on the door or by emailing fwsmakar2023@gmail.com
Tuesday 29th October
Catch me reading at an event for Chris Dolan’s new poetry collection, ‘Breathe In’. A real honour to support a Seahorse Publications stablemate. Click the image above to buy our books.
News
News
News News
24 October 2024
Yoga and Poetry Workshop, in partnership with Paisley Arts Centre and OneRen
Thank you to the beautiful women who came along to session two of yoga and poetry at Paisley Arts Centre. We did 30 minutes of relaxing hatha yoga and then moved on to some writing practice. First, some Hemmingway wisdom to get us started (reckon he could have benefited from some yoga) then warm up prompts to get the writing brain flexed, this encouraged us to go inwards, to look outwards and then to consider ourselves in relation to others. Finally, we examined list poems as a form and wrote, then shared our own. As these things tend to be, energetically, we all entered the room last night with similar experiences and stories. I was also intrigued by the expertise and area of interest that each participant brought, from Scotland’s witches to articulating grief and how our use of language evolves through our journey to deeper self-awareness. Incredible! Thank you to everyone for participating so fully. Also, thank you to OneRen and all the staff at the Arts Centre. I am eternally grateful.
“Well structured and such a friendly safe space. Would love to do another workshop with Donna”
20 October 2024
Poets in Paisley Presents a Renfrewshire Makar’s triple Headliner
On Sunday the 20th of October, we gathered in the newly refurbished theatre of the Paisley Arts Centre for a poetic triple treat. Graham Fulton, Bobby Motherwell and Shaun Moore delighted the crowd with poems, spoken word and music spanning the breadth of the human experience from poo to tattie scones. Bobby treated those gathered to a history lesson about the renowned Scottish Poet and Ornithologist, Alexander Wilson who was baptised in the very kirk that is the Paisley Arts centre in 1766. There were stunning open mic contributions from Martin Goldie and EmmaClaire Brightlyn and I wore my new Poets in Paisley branded sweatshirt. A wonderful afternoon with a receptive and warm audience. Thank you to OneRen, paisley Arts Centre front of house and technicians and the fabulous Blend coffee at Paisley Arts. I sincerely hope we get to do this again.
16 October 2024
Ep 11 of ‘Create the Life You Want’, featuring Craig Houston
On episode eleven of ‘Create The Life You Want’ I was joined by writer, poet and performer, Craig Houston. During this conversation, Craig told me that one of the greatest gifts poetry has given him is the ability to make sense of challenging experiences by writing them down, “it’s an easier way to be pissed off”. For me this is a practice of self-mastery, accountability and self-compassion, a gift indeed, as was this conversation. Listen back by clicking the link below.
6 October 2024
Poetry and Prose Expressive Writing Workshop with Lindsay Johnstone writer in partnership with OneRen
A beautiful experience working alongside John Byrne prize winning writer and friend, Lindsay Johnstone to deliver a poetry and prose workshop at Paisley Arts Centre. Another partnered event for their autumn season and a perfectly themed gathering of words and people celebrating creative expression. We covered writing exercises, prompts, flash fiction and Lindsay and I read from our own work and the work of other writers who inspire us to pick up the pen. The feedback speaks for itself.“I now know why I am here”
26 September 2024
Yoga & Poetry Workshop in partnership with OneRen
I delivered my first yoga and poetry workshop in partnership with OneRen. It took place at the newly refurbished Paisley Arts Centre in the upstairs studio which incidentally, used to be the bar! Six gorgeous women (complete strangers to me, prior to the workshop) attended and participated in the yoga and writing practice. I was blown away by the themes of the discussion which emerged organically. We spoke about how we are eager to break the chains of societal expectations of women in mid-life. Express our authenticity, beauty and creativity. Decide who our tribe is and to where we feel we belong and step into the unknown as a way of challenging ourselves to face our fears and transcend our own outdated beliefs of who we are in relation to the world.I took notes while the participants talked and weaved their beautiful words into this found poem.2 September 2024
My blog piece for The Scottish Poetry Library
29 August 2024
Announcement
Donna Matthew is appointed Makar for the Scottish Women’s National Team Poetry Society
10 August 2024
Glasgow Review of Books, review of the Loud Poets National Slam Final, Edinburgh International Book Festival
Photo: I Am Loud
17 May 2024
Loud Poets May Showcase
Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh
Photo: I Am Loud